T-Top material

[Aripeka Angler]

Hi guys,
I spent a good bit of money about this time last year re-powering the 2670 Pursuit.
In addition to new motors, wiring, batteries, etc- I paid a guy to redo the canvas top, seat and coaming.
I did a lot of the rebuild work myself but I’m lost on canvas and vinyl work.
Long story short- the dude removed my canvas top and replaced it. The workmanship was awful. Grommets are falling out, frayed, etc.
The new helm seat cushion’s workmanship was also sketchy.
The good news is that the dude never sent a bill, he just delivered shitty work. I literally have no idea what happened to him.
Back to the t-top, would like to build something light with glass on it that I could put on top of my aluminum structure.
Ideally, not wood but would like to lace the new top to the aluminum structure through grommets with cord.
Ideas and suggestions are welcome.

[Fuzz]

3/8 or 1/2 inch divinycell would do the job nicely. My T-top weighed in at 57lbs I bet you could make one 30lbs or less. It will be bulky to move around but it will not be much heaver than canvas.

[cape man]

Agree with David.

[Jeff]

I agree with David as well AA. Hate to hear about the terrible work!! Really hard to find quality work!!! Jeff

[fallguy1000]

Wouldn't foam be permament? I am confused about 'moving it around'.

[cape man]

Wouldn't foam be permament? I am confused about 'moving it around'.

Moving it around to install, versus stretching a piece of canvas.

[fallguy1000]

Make it outta foam.

The only thing about the thinner foams is the edges are a bitch to get nice.

I would either double the foam to 24mm or put a flat panel on the edges.

If you did a flat panel edge; the foam won't bend under any canvas stress either. And you can make something with a bit of a shape for aesthetics. For example; the foam bottom can match the sheer.

You will need inserts for hardware. I would recommend aluminum tubing. You can buy 1/8" wall tube and file grooves in the edges so bolt pressures won't pull them out. Foam alone will crush and delam. I would personally do the inserts after glassing and not worry too much about drilling out a bit of glass if you replace with epoxy. All you do is drill like 3/8" over the hole needed. So a 1/4" bolt hole gets a 1/2" aluminum insert and you drill 5/8" and file the edges of the insert rough so it cannot pull and then you glue it in with cabosil about 2.5 to 1 epoxy..

[fallguy1000]

Or if you madethe sides from ply; you could bed snaps for any enclosure or hardware easier on the sides. Although two layers of 1708 will take a snap screw and it won't pull I am tolf; better still glued on a bit with 4200.

[Aripeka Angler]

Thanks for the replies.
I was already curious about the edges. I was thinking about mahogany lumber?

[Jaysen]

Thanks for the replies.
I was already curious about the edges. I was thinking about mahogany lumber?

Just can't do it halfway, can you?

That would be an amazing detail. can't wait to see the pics.